ABSTRACT
Between March and May of 2011, a cluster of three fatal cases of meningococcal sepsis occurred in Andalusia, Spain, in a municipality with a population of around 20,000 inhabitants. The cases were in their mid-teens to early thirties and were notified to the epidemiological surveillance system of Andalusia (Sistema de Vigilancia Epidemiológica de Andalucía, SVEA) during a 68-day period from March through May 2011. All three were infected with the same strain of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C genosubtype VR1:5-1;VR2:10-8. None of the cases had been previously vaccinated against N. meningitidis serogroup C. Antibiotic post-exposure chemoprophylaxis was administered to close contacts of every diagnosed case. Once the cluster was confirmed, the local population was informed through the media about the control measures taken by the health authorities. The vaccination history against N. meningitidis serogroup C of the population under 25 years-old in the municipality was checked. Vaccination was offered to unimmunised individuals younger than 25 years of age and an additional dose of vaccine was offered to those who had been vaccinated between 2000 and 2006 with a vaccination schedule of three doses before the first year of age. No further cases occurred since the beginning of these actions.
Subject(s)
Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control , Meningococcal Infections/diagnosis , Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup C/isolation & purification , Adolescent , Adult , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Cluster Analysis , Contact Tracing , Disease Notification , Fatal Outcome , Female , Humans , Male , Meningococcal Infections/drug therapy , Meningococcal Infections/epidemiology , Meningococcal Infections/prevention & control , Meningococcal Vaccines/administration & dosage , Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup C/genetics , Post-Exposure Prophylaxis , Retrospective Studies , Sepsis/etiology , Serotyping , Spain/epidemiology , Urban Population , Vaccination , Young AdultABSTRACT
In Andalusia, Spain, the pandemic influenza A(H1N1)v virus has spread throughout the community, being the dominant influenza strain in the season so far. The current objective of the Andalusia Health Service is focussed on the mitigation of the health and social impact by appropriate care of the patients at home or in health centres. The 2009-10 seasonal influenza epidemic started early compared with to previous seasons. This article analyses the influenza A(H1N1)v situation in Andalusia until the week 39/2009.
